Sailor displays resilience and courage to achieve a goal

Australian Invictus Games team member, Able Seaman Marine Technician Mark Daniels (left), passes the ball during a wheelchair rugby exhibition match against the WA Enforcers, in Perth WA.

A Navy member who suffered an amputation as a result of a motorcycle accident has overcome serious challenges to remain active, both professionally and in his down time.

Competing in the upcoming 2018 Invictus Games is a proud personal achievement for Able Seaman Marine Technician Mark Daniels.

“Navy sport and my involvement with the Invictus Games have really helped me to understand that I’m not alone in this journey,” said AB Daniels.

AB Daniels is currently serving at HMAS Stirling and will be competing in swimming, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball and wheelchair rugby during the event.

A positive attitude and solid support from the Navy has contributed to his ability to overcome and challenges he has encountered. Through resilience and determination, AB Daniels has overcome his above knee amputation and has achieved significant personal and professional milestones supporting Navy sport. He is motivated to further his Navy career and to demonstrate that a disability does not have to mean the end of his military service.

“These people have now become my Invictus family; we are all pushing as hard as we can to ensure we do our best so we don’t let anyone down.”

Along with the Navy, AB Daniel’s family have been steadfast in their support of his endeavours.

“My family is extremely grateful for what Invictus has given me; it gave me a reason to live again in the early days.

“It was my motivation to get out of bed in the morning and train.

“I found my purpose again through sport; fitness soon stopped becoming a hobby and became a way of life.

“It helped me get through my mental health problems and get back to being deployable within the Navy,” said AB Daniels.

The Invictus Games are one part of AB Daniels sporting journey, with further challenges ahead of him in the next few months competing in the Noosa Triathlon as a member of the ADF Triathlon Team and his continued training to be part of the 2020 Paralympics.